Archive for September, 2013

One of New Hampshire’s newest companies is not only one we helped to relocate here, but it’s one that’s on the forefront of technology and women’s health.

Gamma Medica is evolving technology to improve breast cancer detection and has opened a product design, engineering and manufacturing plant in southern New Hampshire, the latest business to locate in a region becoming known for its bio-medical industry.

Gamma Medica, Inc. develops, markets and services the LumaGEM® MBI system, a digital molecular breast imaging system enabling radiologists to detect early stage cancers that can be missed in women with mammographically dense breast tissue. It is leasing 8,000-square feet at 12 Manor Parkway and plans to hire about 30 people in the next year.

Jim Calandra, CEOGamma MedicalSalem, NH

Since then, technology has been developing high-quality, high-resolution systems to detect tumors at 5 millimeters. Through a non-invasive procedure, women whose mammograms are inconclusive can opt for MBI testing. It’s about one-third of the cost of an MRI, which is used for further analysis of dense breast tissue.

While mammography is an excellent tool in the detection of breast cancer, it does have limitations, said Dr. Robert C. Hannon of Salem Radiology.

“The development of molecular breast imaging, and its ability to identify even small early cancers, is a most welcome addition,” Hannon said. “Gamma Medica, through its Luma GEM MBI System, has refined the technique so it is simple, safe and accurate. This technology will be a significant asset to physicians, as they continue their efforts against this disease.”

Earlier this summer, Gamma Medica closed on a $16 million Series A financing round from healthcare investment firm, Psilos Group Managers. This funding enables Gamma Medica to expand commercialization of the LumaGEM MBI system, its companion product, the LumaGUIDE® MBI-guided biopsy module, and be used to finance additional post-market clinical studies.

Calandra said locating this company in Salem made sense and not just because of New Hampshire’s low tax structure.

“There is a strong medical device presence here and we are close to Boston, where there is a prevalence of medical device companies along Route 128 and around the Merrimack Valley,” he said, adding that being close to some of the finest hospitals in the country was also an important consideration in locating here.

Southern New Hampshire is developing a strong medical device cluster, said Michael Bergeron, business development manager for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, who assisted Gamma Medica in its move to the state.

“The company was looking to locate in a place where there is access to talented employees, universities, and hospitals, as well as low operating costs,” Bergeron said. “New Hampshire has all of that.”

The next time you’re at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, check out a video there in the lobby, which represents a nice collaboration of organizations who are high on New Hampshire for all that it offers in terms of business, lifestyle and possibility.

It’s the first snapshot of the Granite State, a video landscape of our economy, tech sector, commitment to research and quality of life.

The tech council’s board of directors, understanding that the airport is a prime opportunity to grab the attention of visitors to the state, worked on the collaboration to make the video possible.

“We knew that a unique format like a video with key messaging about our state would catch people’s attention and demonstrate the value proposition the state offers to launch, relocate and grow a business,” said Matt Cookson, executive director of the council. “The airport staff was extremely supportive of this effort to create a welcoming message to the millions of people that fly in and out on Manchester every year.”

“With our focus on recruiting new businesses to the state and ensuring that their workforce needs are met we are open to finding innovative ways to reach new audiences,” he said. “We consider ourselves champions of the economic opportunities within New Hampshire and this video is a creative way to highlight some of the state’s advantages.”

For its contribution to the video, Stay Work Play NH answers the question What makes New Hampshire a great place to live and work?

(The answer, of course, is our quality of life statistics — as one of the lowest poverty rates in the nation and number one rankings in child and family well-being and the most livable state.)

Small business owners, representatives of local economic development organizations and trade groups and community leaders are invited to join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Ombudsman Brian Castro to discuss federal regulatory issues impacting small businesses. The forum will take place from 10 am to noon, Friday, Sept. 13, at the New Hampshire Education Assistance Foundation Network Organization, 3 Barrell Court, Concord.

This event will give the local business community a chance to openly voice concerns about unfair regulatory enforcement, excessive fines, retaliation, disproportionately burdensome regulations and other regulatory issues involving federal agencies.

“Too often small business owners can face an uneven playing field because of regulations that were written with major corporations in mind,” said SBA National Ombudsman Brian Castro. “We are firmly committed to providing a receptive forum and a responsive, impartial process for small businesses to voice concerns about enforcement of federal regulations, especially those that create barriers to small business longevity and growth.”

Comments and concerns raised at the regulatory fairness forum will be directed to the appropriate federal agency for a fairness review in an effort to reduce undue regulatory burdens, while helping small businesses succeed.

This event is also an opportunity for the small business community to come away with a better understanding of the resources available to small business owners and entrepreneurs through the Office of the National Ombudsman.

The Concord small business forum is open to the public. Those interested in attending may contactJosé Méndez at the Office of the National Ombudsman at jose.mendez@sba.gov, or by phone at (202) 205-6178 before the meeting. To learn more about the Office of the National Ombudsman, visit the SBA website.

The Office of the National Ombudsman was created by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA). The act established 10 Regulatory Fairness Boards, served by 50 small business owners from across the country. Dr. Deborah Osgood, the Regulatory Fairness Board Chairperson for SBA’s Region 1, will participate in the forum.